Correspondence.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4907, 1 October 1884, Page 3

Correspondence.

These columns are open to all corresnor dence of pubic int«r«st, but we do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of writer?. Correspondcnce'must in all cases be authenticated by the real name and address of the writer—not ncceesarily for publication, but as & guarantee of good faith.

{To the Editor of the EVening Star.) Sißi—Dr Kilgour, in his letter to the Advertiser today, states that I (the Town Clerk) sent telegrams to Wellington without the authority or knowledge of the Council, and also sent a threatening letter to the Beturning Officer with the view of upsetting the September elections. The facts of the case are these -.—Almost the last orders I received from the Mayor were to keep him well posted up upon all matters, and this I have done by letters and telegrams, copies of which are in the Council's telegram ] and letter books, and no others have been sent. When Mr Miller gave his opinion to Mr Woodward that he was not properly appointed Returning Officer, I went to Mr Miller and asked him what was best to be done ; he suggested sending a copy of his opinion to the Mayor, and asking what coarse it was best to pursue. I wrote in Mr Miller's office the questions I was to ask the Mayor; those jjuestions I asked, and sent Mr Miller's opinion to the Mayor. On the Saturday afterwards I received a telegram from the Mayor that the Colonial Secretary had decided that all the proceedings taken re the elections were invalid; that the Governor would extend the time for holding elections ; and that the whole proceedings would have to be commenced de novo, I called the Councillors together immediately I received that telegram; I gave it to Mr Woodward to read, and asked him to at* tend that day's meeting of Councillors ; I also sent him the following memorandum, described by Dr Kilgour as a threatening letter:—Me Woodwabd, Sir, "—I-hereby give you notice that your appointment as Beturning Officer for the Borough of Thames does not authorise you holding any Borough elections for leparate wards, and that the Mayor has notißed me that the time for holding the elections will be extended, and that the elections have to commence de novo. —F. C. Dean, Town Clerk. I think—nay I: am quite sure—Mr Woodward did not take the memo for, or in any way as, a threatening letter; but he stayed his proceedings from the time I gave it him-— about 11 in the morning—until 3 in the afternodn, when the Council, I4iad called together especially, met, and told him to goon. I think, Sir, this letter clearly Bfej*rs that the statements in Dr Kilgour's letter are incorrect, as affecting •/■■■■■ P. C. Deah.